Page 63 of Certified Pressure 3
Zurie sat between us, kicking her feet under the table and coloring on the kids’ menu with the pack of crayons the waiter gave her. She kept glancing up at me every few seconds, smiling that big toothy smile that made my heart feel warm. When the waiter brought her food, she said, “Thank you,” loud enough for half the restaurant to hear.
“So, Zurie,” Uncle Lionel said, cutting into his steak, “how does it feel knowing you get to live with your big sister for good now?”
Zurie’s eyes widened. “Forever?”
I laughed and nodded. “Forever.”
She grinned and leaned over toward me. “Can I get a pink room?”
“You can get a whole pink palace if you want one,” I told her. “We’ll make it exactly how you want it.”
Her face lit up, and she started rambling about how she wanted pink curtains and a princess bed and maybe a sparkly rug too. Aunt Deanne laughed and told her she better not forget to leave space to breathe. Watching her talk about something so simple made me want to cry. After all the nights of worrying about what would happen to her, and whether she’d have to go back into that house, here she was just being a kid again.
Dinner went on for a while with laughter, stories, and plans for what was next. Aunt Deanne kept telling me how strong I had been, how proud she was of me for not letting anyone stop me from fighting for my sister. I didn’t even realize how much I needed to hear that until she said it. It was one thing to survive, but it felt different to finally be seen for surviving.
By the time we left the restaurant, the sky had gone dark, and the air had that soft chill that always comes after a long day. The ride home was quiet. I sat in the backseat with Zurie, and she had fallen asleep halfway through the drive with her head in my lap. Her iPad was still in her hands, and I had to pry it outcarefully so she wouldn’t drop it. Ever since Pressure bought it for her, she hadn’t gone anywhere without it. She loved watching her cartoons and coloring games, and every time she talked about him, it made me smile no matter how complicated things were between us.
I leaned my head back and looked out the window, my hand resting on my stomach. I was almost four months now, and even though my belly wasn’t big yet, there was a small pudge starting to show. It made everything feel more real. I rubbed my stomach gently, thinking about the tiny heartbeat growing inside me. I couldn’t feel the kicks yet, but I felt something deeper than that. It was something that kept me grounded and hopeful.
When we finally got home, Uncle Lionel parked in the driveway and turned off the car. I looked down at Zurie, who was still sleeping, and whispered her name softly until she woke up. Her eyes blinked open, heavy with sleep, and I smiled. “Come on. We’re home.”
She yawned and nodded, reaching her arms up for me. I picked her up and carried her inside, her head falling back onto my shoulder. Aunt Deanne held the door open while I walked her upstairs to the guest room. I sat her on the bed and went through one of her bags, pulling out her pajamas. She was half asleep while I helped her undress, mumbling about how tired she was. I ran the bathwater, added bubble bath, and let her soak for a few minutes before washing her and rinsing her off.
After I dried her and rubbed lotion on her skin, I tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead. I stood there for a moment just watching her, thinking about how peaceful she looked.
I went back to the bathroom and turned on the shower. The water was hot, and the steam filled the bathroom fast. I stepped in and let it run down my skin, resting my hands on my belly again. I looked down at it and smiled, thinking about everything that had happened to get me here. From the fights with myparents, the nights I cried, the fear that I might lose Zurie, to the day I found out I was pregnant and every moment led me here.
My thoughts drifted to Pressure. Everything he had done, and all the ways he looked out for me even when I didn’t ask, it all came rushing back. The lawyer, the fake documents, the protection, the money for Zurie’s surgery, all of it. He had his flaws, but there was something in him that made me feel safe, like no matter how bad things got, he’d always make a way.
I leaned against the shower wall, letting the water hit my shoulders while my mind replayed everything. I hadn’t texted him yet, even though I wanted to. A part of me wanted to wait until I was calm, and could put my emotions into words.
When I finally got out, I dried off and slipped into my night clothes. My stomach felt warm under my shirt, and I rubbed it one more time before climbing into bed next to Zurie. She was turned toward me, breathing softly with her iPad on the pillow beside her. I took it and set it on the nightstand, then pulled the blanket over us.
We watched cartoons together for a little while before she fell asleep again. Her hand rested on my arm, and I felt her tiny fingers twitch against my skin. I smiled, brushing a piece of her hair off her forehead. Everything felt quiet and still in that moment, and I didn’t want it to end.
I reached for my phone on the nightstand and opened my messages. My thumb hovered over Pressure’s name for a long minute before I started typing.
Me:I hope you found somewhere for me and Zurie to stay because we’re coming to Trill-Land.
I stared at the message for a few seconds before pressing send. My heart felt full, nervous, and excited all at once.
I put my phone down, leaned back on the pillow, and looked at my sister sleeping beside me. We were finally free, and on our way to something better. I brushed my hand over my stomach,feeling that small bump that reminded me of everything waiting ahead.
Even with everything Pressure had going on, I knew deep down it was best that I followed that path because I was carrying his child. It wasn’t about what I wanted anymore, but about what was right for my baby. My child deserved to be near their father and to grow up surrounded by family, love, and everything I never really had.
I was going to raise my baby and officially build my life in Trill-Land.
Drahma Town
The night was still young, and I was livin’ it up with my brothers tonight. Me, Renza, Kay’Lo, and Blaqson had been movin’ around all week, but tonight we was finally chillin’ for real. We was at this private lounge out in Drahma, where the lights was low, the drinks hit smooth, and the music kept the vibe right. A slow R&B set was playin’ through the speakers, somethin’ that made the women sway a lil’ harder and the niggas nod their heads like life was good.
I needed this night bad. For the past few weeks I had been buried in weddin’ planners, flower samples, cake tastings, and all that other shit Kash been throwin’ at me. I been showin’up, doin’ my part, smilin’ when I had to, but that shit had me drained. Between that and keepin’ my businesses runnin’, I felt like I barely had a minute to breathe.
My mama still ain’t said much about the weddin’, but her silence said enough. I knew she ain’t like it, and I could see it in her eyes. Every time Kashmere’s name came up, she got quiet. Pops ain’t said much either, and that told me they was both lettin’ me walk right into this on my own.
But I ain’t think about none of that tonight. I just needed to chill with my brothers and clear my head.
Blaqson was laughin’ loud as hell, tellin’ a story about some shit that ain’t even make sense, and Renza kept clownin’ him. Kay’Lo was sittin’ back sippin’ his drink, watchin’ everything with that calm smirk he always had. Toni had that nigga wrapped around her finger now, so she was probably on his mind.
